Proof of concept confirmed for carer-centric franchise

In-home care provider, Visiting Angels, is making significant steps forward for the care industry in the UK, having recently been upgraded to Associate Membership by the British Franchise Association (bfa). Headed by franchising and care expert Dan Archer, Visiting Angels is pioneering the modern care industry through previously unseen approaches to how carers are rewarded and supported in the demanding sector.

Having joined the bfa in 2018 as a Provisional Member, Visiting Angels’ pilot franchise in Sheffield has grown to more than 80 carers, over £2 million turnover and 2,000+ weekly hours of care. A brand’s bfa membership level is dependent on criteria such as the age and size of the franchise. Fundamentally, all Full and Associate members of the bfa must meet four key criteria to upgrade from Provisional status. Franchisors are expected to demonstrate how they meet these standards and provide evidence that the business is viable, franchisable, ethical and fully disclosed. To be satisfied the franchisor has met the standards, the bfa contacts every franchisee for feedback on the support provided by the franchisor and is given access to all financial records to confirm the network’s success.

Visiting Angels’ franchise network has expanded to over 20 operational franchise locations, all strongly delivering proof of concept and identifying significant market need, not just for quality care services but for quality care employment. All of this combined to support the decision to approve the upgrade in membership with the bfa – no mean feat having endured one of the most challenging times in history for the social care sector.

The carer-centric approach that Visiting Angels places at the heart of its community is a concept that puts carers before anyone and anything else. With a more sophisticated recruitment strategy and through offering carers a better support network and pay, Visiting Angels, along with its carer-centric business model, is already laying the foundations for the care industry to evolve.

Dan believes that, through placing carer-centricity at the heart of their care franchise, the most important foundations are being laid to take the brand to UK-wide coverage, becoming the UK’s care employer of choice. But it’s not just about franchise expansion for the team at Visiting Angels, they are doggedly focused on improving the conditions of social care.

“As the care industry in the UK continues to move out of the pandemic and recover from what has been one of its most difficult periods in generations, it’s vital that the highest quality brands are placed at the helm of setting new standards. Visiting Angels’ upgrade to Associate Membership of the bfa highlights our commitment to continuing to expand our footprint, placing carers at the heart of everything we do. From business operations to company structure, values and mission, Visiting Angels is the first brand in the UK to truly celebrate and defend the incredible work and sacrifice of our country’s carers. The pandemic has exposed so many gaps and issues that are fundamentally wrong within the industry, but by continuing to move our brand forward in ways such as this and pioneering concepts that are long-overdue, we are giving a voice to areas of the industry that must be heard in order for it to evolve.”

Visiting Angels’ upgrade to Associate Membership of the bfa comes after an industrious end to 2021, having celebrated one of their most successful years to date both within care and franchising. As well as the brand being recognised as one of the top three emerging franchisors in the UK at the HSBC bfa Franchisor of the Year Awards, after just four years in the UK, Visiting Angels entered the Elite Franchise Top 100 league table at position 62. To add to its accolades, Visiting Angels was a finalist in the Homecare Insight Leaders in Care Awards in the Business Initiative of the Year category.

Whilst a relative newcomer in the British care industry, Visiting Angels’ pioneering model has shown the positive impact this carer-centric strategy has had – and could have – in the future if other providers follow suit. Through becoming an Associate Member of the bfa and giving a voice to an industry in need of innovators, more like-minded entrepreneurs are continuing to invest in the care franchise with 6 offices set to open so far in 2022.